![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Sweden defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) celebrates with teammates including forward William Nylander (88) after scoring a goal against Team Finland in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_3600,h_2025/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/97/01jm6339tgt7aapzbaqn.jpg "Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Sweden defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) celebrates with teammates including forward William Nylander (88) after scoring a goal against Team Finland in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images")
The NHL Trade Deadline is coming up next month and it is up in the air if Erik Karlsson will be dealt to a contender by GM Kyle Dubas. But if the Penguins are to trade him, he is really showcasing his abilities in the Four Nations Face Off. He has an excellent defensive partner in Edmonton's Mattias Ekholm and Karlsson is making insane passes and using his amazing shot when he sees a lane.
The problem with an Erik Karlsson trade is the fact that his cap hit is 11.5 million and contending teams do not want to take on the whole thing. They would want the Penguins to retain some of that but it would come with a higher price tag if the Penguins were to do that.
Team number 1 with interest: The Dallas Stars
In one of my previous articles I mentioned that other Penguins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk would be a good fit in Dallas. But it holds true with Karlsson as well.
The Stars are looking for a steady defenseman that can put up points and really help them on their blue line especially with the loss of Heiskanen for a while.
Karlsson and Grzelcyk fit this profile and either one would be an upgrade for them, but if they really want to swing big, Karlsson is their choice here.
Team number 2 with interest: The Ottawa Senators
Erik Karlsson cannot be talked about in trade rumors or trade proposals without mentioning the Ottawa Senators. Karlsson played there in the past and was a beast in the 2017 ECF against the Penguins where he was playing on a broken foot and had an amazing game 7 despite the loss.
Karlsson with the initial slapshot off the post for the rebound goal to tie the game late. He was quite the player in this series.
The Senators would love to have him back but again like other contending teams, they will not want to take on an 11.5 million cap hit without some retention.
But what a reunion it would be if the Penguins traded Karlsson back to the Senators.
Team number 3 with interest: The Florida Panthers
The Panthers already have a solid defense core as it is, but they could choose to upgrade and add a bit more steadiness and offense to their backend.
But this one seems the most unlikely as they already have a steady backend and signed a few guys in the offseason to help their blueline.
But if they wanted to swing big and upgrade and defend their title, this is the route they should choose to go. Defending champions should always swing big and try their best to win again.